Grand Place

The Grand Place, with its ornate baroque and gothic guild houses, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Built as a merchants market in the 13th century, it serves as the city center and a great place to enjoy Belgian hospitality at one of the many terrace cafes. It is also a venue for many concerts & events throughout the year and during the warmer months has a vibrant, daily flower market.

Town Hall (Hotel de Ville)

The first building you notice upon entering the Grand Place is the striking gothic town hall, which dates back to the 13th century. Its beautiful facade features the famous needle-like crooked spire which is 315 feet in height and is topped by the archangel St. Michael. Tours are available of the interior, which contains 15th century tapestries and works of art.

Manneken Pis

This famous statue of a little boy peeing in a fountain is a perfect representative of the irreverent Belgian humor. The unique Brussels icon has been amusing visitors on the corner of Rue de L’Etuve & Stroofstraat since 1619. Over time it has become a tradition for visiting heads of state to donate miniature versions of their national costume for the little naked boy. The wardrobe of Mannekin Pis can be seen at the Brussels museum and includes over 760 outfits – even an authentic Elvis jumpsuit.

Galeries St Hubert

This gorgeous, glass roofed arcade in the center of town, lined with cafes, theaters and luxury stores has the distinction of being the first shopping arcade in Europe. Built in 1847 and recently renovated, the Royal Galleries (Galerie de la Reine, du Roi and du Prince) are one of the most astonishing places to visit in Brussels.

Mont Des Arts

Situated half way between the broad avenues of Brussels’ Park and the pretty gardens of Petit Sablon and Egmont, this area marks the transition between the ‘upper’ and ‘lower’ town. It boasts a profusion of museums, theaters and historical monuments, attracting locals and visitors alike to Brussels.

European Union (EU)

Brussels is home to the European Union (EU) which is comprised of 25 European countries. On any given day there are over 20,000 people working in the offices of the EU. The infrastructure of the EU is divided into 3 big institutions: the European council, the European commission and the European parliament.

For individual visitors, the European Parliament offers audio-guided visits and, during part-sessions, the chance to attend a parliamentary sitting. Visitors must be at least 14 years old. Information visits are organized for groups composed of a minimum of 20 people and a maximum of 45.

Ommegang Festival (Grand Place)

Take a seat on the tiered stands or lean on the low barriers and find yourself transported to 1549. Every year, the lavish Ommegang procession commemorates the tribute paid to Emperor Charles V and his VIP guests. Richly-colored costumes, horses, embroidered banners, flag throwing and stilt jousting are always on the menu for this annual event.

MIM (The Museum of Musical Instruments)

The Museum of Musical Instruments is a strikingly beautiful building in Brussels combining the architectural styles of Neo-Classic and Art Nouveau. Housed in the museum is a collection of more than 7000 instruments of varying kinds and origins. On the top floor, the indoor & outdoor MIM Restaurant provides visitors with a magnificent 360° view of Brussels.

The Belgian Center for Comic Strip Art (Center Belge de la Bande Dessinee)

Housed in an art nouveau masterpiece designed by Victor Horta, this museum pays homage to a particular Belgian passion, cartooning. Tintin and the Smurfs are the most famous Belgian comic strip characters but the museum also displays artwork from over 670 cartoonists. Other displays detail the stages of putting together a comic strip, from examples of initial ideas and pencil sketches through to final publication. Arranged over three levels, the museum also has a library and an art nouveau brewery.

The Dinosaur Gallery at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences

Explore the largest dinosaur museum in Europe on permanent display at the Museum of Natural Sciences starting on October 27. This is a great exhibit for the whole family, with many new dinosaur skeletons to discover and learn about as well as hands-on activities for children.

The Cantillon Brewery

This brewery, which uses the same brewing process as it did when it was founded in 1900, has been converted into a working museum providing visitors with tours and tastings throughout the year. In an hour and a half the Van Roy-Cantillon family invites you to discover all the trade secrets of making lambic beer, faro, kreik and the archetypal Brussels beer known as geuze. Geuze is a blend of lambic beers and has the dryness and sparkle of a good champagne.

Cathedral of Saints Michel and Saint Gudule

This magnificent cathedral, tactfully dedicated to the male and female patron saints of Brussels, is located near Central Station. It was completed by the end of the 15th century in the Brabant Gothic style, but was damaged by the French shelling of 1695. The white stone façade is from the year 1250 and the interior is splendidly proportioned and stuffed with treasures.

Palace of Justice

Bigger in area than St. Peter’s in Rome, the city’s law courts were built in Neo-Classical style using the profits of colonialism, and completed in 1833. The impressive structure rules the Brussels skyline and can be seen from almost any vantage point in the city.

The Royal Palace (Palais Royal)

The official home of the Belgian king, you will always know if he is in the country when you see the Belgian flag flying on top of the building. The building is a highlight of Neo-Classical architecture and overlooks Brussels Park. The Royal Palace is open to the public during the summer months.

Royal Greenhouses

Built in 1874 by King Leopold II, it contains one of the largest & finest private botanical collections in the world. The complex itself consists of 16 huge interconnected greenhouses, a dining hall, theater and reception areas. Every year, usually from the last week of April through the 1st week of May, the king invites the public to visit the greenhouses & the exuberant display of flowers.

Grand Sablon Square

This picturesque square is situated on the slope that divides Brussels between the upper and lower halves of the city. Decked out with chic boutiques, al fresco cafes, fashionable restaurants, and trendy bars, the Grand Sablon is most famous for its lively open-air antiques market which attracts antiques dealers from all over the world. Open every weekend (Sat 9-6, Sun 9-2).

Petit Sablon Square

Just above the Grand Sablon is the jewel of a square - Petit Sablon. Originally a horse market, it was converted in 1890 into an elegant & charming flower garden with lavish fountains, surrounded by wrought-iron fences decorated with stone statuettes. Each figure represents a medieval trade or craft that brought prosperity to Brussels. Today it is a favorite area to relax while taking in the pretty view.

Museum Horta

The former home of Art Nouveau’s best-known architect, Victor Horta, is now the Horta Museum - a showcase of stained glass and subway tile, pale wood and wrought iron whose every corner seems magically bathed in golden sunlight.

Comic Strip Route

There are currently 18 large comic strip images decorating the sides of buildings around Brussels city center. This outdoor exhibition is known as the comic strip route and is organized by the Belgian Center for Comic Strip Art and the city of Brussels. Begun in 1991 as a tribute to Belgium’s talent for comic strip art, this street art project continues to grow.

Palace of the Nation

Home of the Belgian Parliament since the country’s independence in 1830, this magnificent building was constructed in the late 18th century by the Neo-Classical architect Guimard, who also designed the expansive stone facade and many of the surrounding state buildings.

Cinquantenaire Arch

Erected to mark the 50th anniversary of Belgium’s independence from Holland, the monument is 144 ft high at the head of the Tervuren Avenue and is topped by a bronze chariot being ridden by the female personification of a triumphant Belgium. Adjacent are the Royal Museum of Art & History, Royal Museum of Army & Military History and the 90-acre Jubilee Park forming a lush backdrop for all three.

Brussels Park

The lovely avenues of Brussels Park provide sweeping views of the Royal Palace. This is one of the favorite places for Brussels’ residents to take a stroll, as somewhere to both stretch their legs and enjoy the sights of the changing seasons.

Mini Europe

Home of  over 300 doll-sized versions of the most famous European monuments including the Eiffel Tower and Acropolis. This popular family destination is located in Bruparck, which is in the Heysel area of northern Brussels. Also found in Bruparck are an assortment of themed restaurants, an IMEX movie theater (movies in English) and Oceade, a tropically heated water park.

Atomium

Built for the 1958 World Fair, the Atomium represents a molecule’s nine atoms – magnified 165 billion times. Something of a symbol of the city, it provides a panoramic view of Brussels and its surroundings. The 9 spheres that make up the “atom” are linked by escalators. The Atomium hosts a museum and is also a venue for special events.

Rue de Bouchers

Known more for the atmospheric charm than the cuisine, Rue de Boucher is a walking thoroughfare abounding with 17th century stepped gables, decorated doorways, cafes and restaurants with lavish pavement displays of seafood, piled high on mounds of ice. It is not recommended to eat there and is often called a "tourist trap" in regards to menu prices and quality of food.

Christmas Markets

During the month of December Brussels’ Grand Place is magically transformed into a winter wonderland of holiday delights with an enormous Christmas tree and nightly sound & light shows. Nearby on Place Sainte Catherine resides a European Christmas Market village made up of wooden cottages filled with Christmas goodies, European food specialties and handicrafts.